Because of women’s central responsibility for cooking and managing household energy in developing countries, they play a crucial role in the widespread adoption and use of clean cooking solutions. To support their catalytic role in the sector and ensure women can use their firsthand experiences in the creation of a thriving market, the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves announced the availability of additional grants under the Women’s Empowerment Fund (WEF).

Supported by Caterpillar Foundation, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), and the U.S. Department of State, the WEF will award grants of up to US$75,000 to at least 4 qualifying organizations. The funding enables grantees to test innovative approaches that empower women and address gender issues that can later be scaled if proven effective.

“Women are innovators and problem-solvers who are already taking the lead in their communities to develop and implement clean cooking solutions,” said Radha Muthiah, CEO of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. “Through programs like the Women’s Empowerment Fund, women can be economically empowered through their engagement in the clean cooking sector, catalyzing the market as sustainable energy entrepreneurs.”

Last year, the Women’s Empowerment Fund successfully supported enterprises working with women entrepreneurs from around the world, including in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, India, Haiti, and Guatemala.

The WEF selected projects will have a 12-month timeframe to meet clear objectives and performance milestones. The request for proposals is now available online for applicant organizations at this link. Applicants must be a registered partner of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, and those who are not currently a partner can easily register here.

The application process will be open from March 17 – April 14, 2015. Applications are due on April 14, 2015 at 6:00pm EDT.

Source: Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves